Denise Welch Predicts Meghan Markle Will Be Blamed in Royal £50 Million Rental Scandal
Loose Women star Denise Welch weighed in on the recent controversy involving King Charles and Prince William, saying “somehow” the fallout will end up being blamed on Meghan Markle. Welch’s comments followed an investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times, which revealed that the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall—private estates owned by the King and the Prince of Wales—generate around £50 million a year, much of it from taxpayer-funded rental contracts with public bodies and charities.
An article in The Times reported, “The King and Prince William are funding their private lifestyles by secretly levying millions of pounds a year in charges from the armed forces, the NHS, state schools, charities, mining companies, and the general public.”
Carol Vorderman also expressed shock, calling the findings “SHOCKING” on social media platform X. She added, “The Sunday @thetimes & #Dispatches investigation into the grubby & secretive earnings of the Royal Family, incl. charging huge rents to Marie Curie & Macmillan charities, WHICH THEY’RE PATRONS OF & which WE donate to. They get the money! The list is long.”
In response, several followers voiced agreement with Welch, with one user saying, “Oh yeah, just wait! There’ll be 100s of articles about Meghan, claiming she didn’t smile at a courtier or something.” Another chimed in, “They’ll definitely blame Meghan to divert attention from the royals!”
The investigation sheds light on the massive earnings from private estates held in trust for the Sovereign and heir. The Duchy of Lancaster, which dates back to the 14th century, holds a vast portfolio of land, properties, and assets across England and Wales, including historic buildings and high-value farmland. Meanwhile, the Duchy of Cornwall, valued at over £1 billion, provides income to the heir to the throne. According to reports, the Duchy collects £1.5 million annually from HMP Dartmoor, an empty prison with high radon gas levels, and over £600,000 in rent from seven schools.
This controversy surrounding the Duchies’ earnings raises questions about royal income sources and taxpayer support. With public debate intensifying, Denise Welch’s comments highlight the tendency for Meghan Markle to become a scapegoat in royal controversies—a sentiment echoed by many online who foresee her being unfairly blamed in the fallout from these revelations.